Bites & Sips - Restaurants undergo off-season facelifts

Published: Monday, January 27, 2014 at 9:40 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, January 27, 2014 at 9:40 a.m.

With tourism at a standstill and locals hunkered down in their cozy bunkers, Wilmington finds herself headlong into renovation season. Restaurants are usually first in line to take advantage of the slower pace, and there's no shortage of establishments sporting shiny new facelifts for their loyal customers. I had a chance to check in with a trio of establishments last week, and there are some impressive changed underway.

The George on the RiverWalk

128 S. Water St., downtown Wilmington

Executive chef Larry Fuller was admiring the updated dining room at the Geoge last Tuesday, a fresh coat of light gray paint and glossy black trim work giving the space an updated feel. New lighting in the form of impressive, artistic chandeliers oversees a row of tables just beyond the hostess station, now outfitted in timeless marble.

Fuller, a longtime Wilmingtonian who landed in the Port City by way of Florida, has also given the menu an overhaul. The new dishes, which will debut in March, feature Bangkok tuna, bourbon-glazed salmon and seafood cannelloni. His Sunshine State roots will show up in a pair of alligator offerings.

The popular eatery has been closed for much of January to complete the renovations, but plans to reopen this week. Visit The George's Facebook page for exact details on when you'll be able to slide into one of their freshly upholstered booths and place an order.

Café Del Mar/Tower 7

4 N. Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach

Josh Vach's empire of restaurants, rooted in the K-38 that spawned them all, is continuing to maintain a modern feel. A year after the flagship received a major overhaul, this Wrightsville Beach coffee shop and Baja-style eatery is the new focus.

Susan Croom, speaking for the business, said the customer experience will remain similar for those sitting down to lunch in Tower 7 . The main changes there are in the kitchen. On the café side, however, Croom said to expect a significantly better flow of traffic.

"We're totally redoing that whole bar area," she said.

New paint, fresh artwork and, most significantly, a counter that's been shifted several feet to allow better mobility between the spaces, are among the improvements.

Croom said the team's got a good grasp on renovations, and that the K-38 makeover has been a big hit with longtime diners who remember what it looked like 20 years ago.

"They absolutely love it, both customers and staff alike," she said.

Katy's Grill & Bar

1054 S. College Road, Wilmington

In December, founder Katy Monaghan sold her namesake restaurant to former employee Jerry Allen Lachman and his business partner, Kelly Baucom. The two jointly own Jerry Allen's at Wrightsville Beach.

The new proprietors came in with hammers swinging, and the main dining room has a fantastic, airy vibe thanks to their efforts. A new floor replaces the worn carpeting. Stunning woodwork, long concealed under bamboo screens, is now exposed. And, while not as sexy as the other upgrades, the kitchen has been scrubbed and resurfaced from head to toe, with three decades of grime eliminated from tiny crevices and hiding spots.

The menu has been merged with Jerry Allen's, with a hybrid of best sellers from each. Monaghan's Reuben sandwich, wings, seafood dishes and a couple of burgers are joined by headings for "Kelly's Classic Burgers" and "Jerry's Kickin' Chicken."

I spent some quality time with the recently retired Monaghan the other week, and wrote a story about her life in the food service industry that ran in last Sunday's StarNews. If you're a longtime fan of Katy's, one of the area's longest running restaurants, check it out on StarNewsOnline.com/dining.

Contact Paul Stephen at 343-2041 or Paul.Stephen@StarNewsOnline.com. Find him on Twitter @pauljstephen, or drop a note at the Port City Foodies' Facebook page.

<p>With tourism at a standstill and locals hunkered down in their cozy bunkers, Wilmington finds herself headlong into renovation season. Restaurants are usually first in line to take advantage of the slower pace, and there's no shortage of establishments sporting shiny new facelifts for their loyal customers. I had a chance to check in with a trio of establishments last week, and there are some impressive changed underway.</p><p><b>The George on the RiverWalk</b></p><p>128 S. Water St., downtown Wilmington</p><p>Executive chef Larry Fuller was admiring the updated dining room at the Geoge last Tuesday, a fresh coat of light gray paint and glossy black trim work giving the space an updated feel. New lighting in the form of impressive, artistic chandeliers oversees a row of tables just beyond the hostess station, now outfitted in timeless marble.</p><p>Fuller, a longtime Wilmingtonian who landed in the Port City by way of Florida, has also given the menu an overhaul. The new dishes, which will debut in March, feature Bangkok tuna, bourbon-glazed salmon and seafood cannelloni. His Sunshine State roots will show up in a pair of alligator offerings.</p><p>The popular eatery has been closed for much of January to complete the renovations, but plans to reopen this week. Visit The George's <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/facebook"><b>Facebook</b></a> page for exact details on when you'll be able to slide into one of their freshly upholstered booths and place an order.</p><p><b>Café Del Mar/Tower 7 </b></p><p>4 N. Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach</p><p>Josh Vach's empire of restaurants, rooted in the K-38 that spawned them all, is continuing to maintain a modern feel. A year after the flagship received a major overhaul, this Wrightsville Beach coffee shop and Baja-style eatery is the new focus.</p><p>Susan Croom, speaking for the business, said the customer experience will remain similar for those sitting down to lunch in Tower 7 . The main changes there are in the kitchen. On the café side, however, Croom said to expect a significantly better flow of traffic. </p><p>"We're totally redoing that whole bar area," she said.</p><p>New paint, fresh artwork and, most significantly, a counter that's been shifted several feet to allow better mobility between the spaces, are among the improvements.</p><p>Croom said the team's got a good grasp on renovations, and that the K-38 makeover has been a big hit with longtime diners who remember what it looked like 20 years ago. </p><p>"They absolutely love it, both customers and staff alike," she said.</p><p><b>Katy's Grill & Bar </b></p><p>1054 S. College Road, Wilmington</p><p>In December, founder Katy Monaghan sold her namesake restaurant to former employee Jerry Allen Lachman and his business partner, Kelly Baucom. The two jointly own Jerry Allen's at Wrightsville Beach.</p><p>The new proprietors came in with hammers swinging, and the main dining room has a fantastic, airy vibe thanks to their efforts. A new floor replaces the worn carpeting. Stunning woodwork, long concealed under bamboo screens, is now exposed. And, while not as sexy as the other upgrades, the kitchen has been scrubbed and resurfaced from head to toe, with three decades of grime eliminated from tiny crevices and hiding spots.</p><p>The menu has been merged with Jerry Allen's, with a hybrid of best sellers from each. Monaghan's Reuben sandwich, wings, seafood dishes and a couple of burgers are joined by headings for "Kelly's Classic Burgers" and "Jerry's Kickin' Chicken."</p><p>I spent some quality time with the recently retired Monaghan the other week, and wrote a story about her life in the food service industry that ran in last Sunday's StarNews. If you're a longtime fan of Katy's, one of the area's longest running restaurants, check it out on StarNewsOnline.com/dining. </p><p>Contact <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9919"><b>Paul Stephen</b></a> at 343-2041 or Paul.Stephen@StarNewsOnline.com. Find him on <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a> @pauljstephen, or drop a note at the Port City Foodies' Facebook page.</p>